Rock View Sewing School

In 2004, following a request from a Baptist Church in one of the poorest area of Soroti, a sum of £300 was donated by saltpetertrust for the purchase of 6 treadle sewing machines. Two qualified dressmakers in the church established the sewing school and by 2006 had trained 52 students in basic dressmaking skills.

For a reduced fee – in some cases no fee at all – this vocational training offers the possibility of an income to those who are unable to afford formal education or otherwise support themselves. Of these 52, all are now self-employed and are supporting themselves; some have bought their own machines, others rent, and 2 have gone on to teach sewing skills.

Income generated from the school has allowed 5 machines to be purchased and placed in local churches for students to practise their skills and for others to be taught.

£75 provides a year’s course tuition for 1 student

A £40 micro-loan would buy that student their own machine to start a business

Within one year the loan would be repaid in full